This paper evaluates four selection procedures for hiring school principals. These procedures (interviews, assessment center, selected assessment center exercises, and paper and pencil inventories) were compared in terms of validity, processing costs, and dollar gain expected from implementation. The selected assessment center exercises were found…

Examined how assessment center methods affect the way assessors organize and process assessment center information and affect the ratings they make. Results suggested that methods for evaluating assessment center candidates affected the way the assessors organized the assessment center information and affected the obtained ratings. (Author/ABB)

School study councils should explore adopting assessment center technology (ACT) for selection and development of administrators, a process long used by other organizations. A center's assessors identify, measure, and analyze acceptable position performance levels within simulated exercises and managerial skills. (ll endnotes) (CJH)

Describes the assessment center of the Leadership Academy in the Houston (Texas) schools system. It is used to evaluate the management capability of current principals and potential administrator candidates. The center uses simulation exercises as part of the evaluation process. Includes outline of areas to be considered when developing a program.…

Describes a New York school district's experience with using an assessment center to help select the superintendent. The key was designing in-basket and role-playing exercises to test candidates' competencies and training board members to evaluate results properly. (MLH)

A combination of methods--portfolios, direct observation, assessment centers, and better tests--can compensate for one another's shortcomings and reflect the richness and complexity of teaching. (Author/TE)

Current work force trends such as teamwork, empowerment, and quality pose challenges for traditional testing. Tests that can provide diagnostic developmental information for improving job performance are needed. Innovative practices such as video-based testing are emerging. (SK)

A model to evaluate educational administrators' instructional leadership skills and behaviors is described in this paper. A review of literature indicates that methodology for assessing instructional leaders is lacking. An evaluation model is presented, which is based on the following stages: (1) interview; (2) evaluation of instructional…

Because administrative theory as presently developed does not allow administrative action to be accurately assessed, measuring participant responses to case study problems employing a predetermined, closed set of responses has questionable validity. This study tries to develop an alternative methodology and to test the resulting instrument in an…

Higher demands on administrators have rendered traditional selection methods less adequate. Many schools have responded by adopting assessment centers to identify administrator qualifications. Previous research and contact with assessment centers through letters, phone calls, and a survey furnished the information for this study. Twenty-five of…

Historically, women have been underrepresented in public school administrative positions, largely due to sex role and occupational stereotyping. This study examines how National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Assessment Centers influenced women's career opportunities, how these women view the process, and what issues face women…

In 1988, the Department of Educational Leadership at Western Kentucky University (WKU) established the Western Kentucky Assessment Center, sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). This document provides an overview of the history and methods of NASSP assessment centers, followed by a discussion of costs to…

Reviews literature on the use of content validity to establish the job-relatedness of assessment centers. Attempts to show that content validity requires more than the careful construction of stimulus materials, how these stimulus materials are presented to candidates and how responses to these stimuli are evaluated are also critical…

Throughout the United States, the Leadership in Educational Administration program helps new principals hone their administrative skills and provides a network of support and information. This article describes a Louisiana technical assistance program involving 5 universities and 15 beginning principals from various regions in the state. Includes…

The American Association of School Administrators is currently developing a National Executive Development Center for the professional development of senior school executives. The initial Texas site is expected to be joined with a consortium of six pilot sites. Describes the design assumptions of a diagnostic and professional development system.…